Islanders C Mathew Barzal was named the number two star of the week in the NHL after playing key roles in the team's last three games.

Barzal's hat trick on Saturday night was the first by an Islanders rookie since Michael Grabner in 2010-2011 and marked the 11th time in franchise history that a rookie has achieved the feat.

Barzal has thrived as of late, tallying six points and a league-high four goals in three games to help lead the Islanders -- particularly during the team's 5-2 win over the Jets on Saturday. He also ranks among the best in the league among rookies with 23 assists and 35 points thus far.

Barzal, who was selected 16th overall in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, scored his first NHL goal Oct. 19 and landed his first multi-point game a week later against the Minnesota Wild.

Anthony Beauvillier and Scott Mayfield scored for the Islanders, who lost in regulation for the third time in 12 games (7-3-2). Thomas Greiss had 16 saves, but was pulled after giving up three goals on six shots in the first 7:08 of the second period. Robin Lehner came on and finished with 11 saves.

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Islanders host Stars, Sunday at 1 p.m.

Nov 18 | 11:54AM

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Nov 8, 2018; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Islanders left wing Anders Lee (27) reacts as he missed a shot on goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports (Kim Klement)

NEW YORK -- A pair of teams off decidedly different yet equally unprecedented victories will square off Sunday afternoon, when the New York Islanders host the Dallas Stars at Barclays Center.

The Islanders last played Thursday night, when they remained perfect in the Metropolitan Division and continued their dominance over the New York Rangers with a 7-5 win over their arch-rivals at Barclays Center. The Stars edged the visiting Boston Bruins on Friday night, when Jason Dickinson scored 1:34 into overtime to give Dallas the 1-0 win.

With their franchise-record eighth straight win over the Rangers, the Islanders (10-6-2) improved to 7-0-0 in the Metro. It is the Islanders' best divisional start ever and the first time since the 2012-13 season an NHL team has won its first seven divisional games.

Islanders, Rangers rivalry renewed as both eye top of Metropolitan Division

The two teams meet Thursday at 7 p.m.

By Dan Petriw | Nov 15 | 10:00AM

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New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider (20) and New York Islanders defenseman Johnny Boychuk (55) fight for the puck during the first period at Barclays Center. (Brad Penner)

Three months ago almost every NHL preview did not have the Rangers and Islanders as two teams that would be fighting for the lead in the Metropolitan Division, but as we approach their first matchup Thursday night, it appears that neither team read, watched or listened those predictions -- the Isles and Rangers are tied for second place with 20 points, trailing only the Columbus Blue Jackets by two points for the division lead.

Both teams have taken very different paths to get to this point.

Let's start with the Islanders, who appear to have moved on from losing former captain John Tavares. The stability that Lou Lamoriello and Barry Trotz have brought to the organization cannot be quantified. While this team is not the most talented, it does not get outworked, plays a much better defensive structure and is keeping the puck out of its own net. Thomas Greiss and Robin Lehner have provided stability between the pipes and the duo of Josh Bailey and Anders Lee have proven that they are not a product of their former captain.

Isles are up 3-1 over the Canucks after one

Nov 13 | 7:53PM

We have one question Tom Kuhnhackl: How did you just score on this play?

While fighting for a puck against the boards against the Canucks, Kuhnhackl came away with it, but slipped off his skates. But that didn't stop him from trying to throw the puck at net.

CLICK BELOW TO SEE THE PLAY

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Islanders aim to snap losing streak vs. Canucks at 7 p.m.

Isles have lost three in a row as they host Vancouver

Nov 13 | 6:37PM

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Nov 8, 2018; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Islanders left wing Anders Lee (27) reacts as he missed a shot on goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports (Kim Klement)

NEW YORK -- The New York Islanders and Vancouver Canucks were two of the most surprising stories of the NHL through the first month of the season. But these next few weeks are likely to reveal more about the Islanders and Canucks than the first few weeks.

The Islanders and Canucks will each be looking to snap losing streaks Tuesday night, when New York hosts Vancouver at Barclays Center.

The Islanders suffered their third straight loss Saturday night, when they fell to the host Florida Panthers, 4-2. The visiting Canucks lost their second consecutive game Monday, when they dropped a 2-1 decision to the New York Rangers.

Panthers set to host Islanders at 7 p.m.

The Isles will try to bounce back from a loss on Thursday

Nov 10 | 5:22PM

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Nov 8, 2018; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Islanders right wing Josh Bailey (12) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports (Kim Klement)

The Florida Panthers were supposed to be serious playoff contenders this season, and the New York Islanders, well, weren't.

But through roughly the first-eighth of this season, the opposite seemed true.

The Islanders, who visit the Panthers on Saturday night at the BB&T Center, entered the weekend atop the Metropolitan Division with 18 points and an 8-5-2 record.

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Islanders' seven-game point streak ends with 4-2 loss to Lightning

Josh Bailey scored both Islander goals

Nov 8 | 10:09PM

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Nov 8, 2018; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Islanders left wing Anders Lee (27) reacts as he missed a shot on goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports (Kim Klement)

Josh Bailey scored two goals and the Islanders had 37 shots, but Tampa Bay goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy kept his team in it as the Lightning came away with the 4-2 win Thursday night. >> Box score

The Isles can extend their point streak to eight games Thursday

Nov 8 | 5:18PM

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Oct 30, 2018; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; New York Islanders left wing Matt Martin (17) celebrates his goal with right wing Tom Kuhnhackl (14) and center Casey Cizikas (53) against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period at PPG PAINTS Arena. New York won 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports (Charles LeClaire)

The Tampa Bay Lightning look to continue their winning ways against the resurgent New York Islanders when the teams meet Thursday at Amalie Arena.

The Lightning enter with a three-game winning streak and have won four of the past five games to sit atop the Atlantic Division standings.

The Islanders saw their five-game winning streak end on Monday at the hands of the Montreal Canadiens but remain at the top of the Metropolitan Division standings. >> Read more

The Islanders' Feb. 28 game against the Toronto Maple Leafs will be played at Nassau Coliseum rather than Barclays Center -- and John Tavares, for one, is looking forward to it.

The former Isles captain knows he'll hear plenty of boos after leaving his longtime team to sign with the Leafs this past summer. But Tavares told The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun that he's nevertheless excited to return to where he developed into an NHL star.

"Yeah I mean, it's really out of my control,'' Tavares said of how Islanders fans will receive him. "However they feel is how they feel. All I hope is that they saw me give all I had for nine years and that I was completely invested in being an Islander. I loved it there. I made a decision that I thought was best for myself and my career. That place still means a lot to me. A lot of great people who had a big impact in my life and a big reason I am who I am today. But obviously they're very proud and protective of their hockey team and what it means to them. They're not very nice to the visitor, at least when I was still part of it, and I'm sure it'll be similar for myself. But it'll be fun to play in.''

Islanders seek sixth straight win against Canadiens on Monday

Islanders have outscored opponents 19-7 in regulation during streak

Nov 5 | 5:14PM

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New Jersey Devils left wing Miles Wood interferes with New York Islanders goaltender Thomas Greiss during the first period at Barclays Center. (Brad Penner/USA TODAY Sports)

The New York Islanders have established themselves as one of the surprise stories of the NHL by dominating within their division. Now the Islanders will look to see if they can carry that over to non-Metropolitan Division foes.

The Islanders will look to extend the Eastern Conference's longest winning streak on Monday night, when they host the Montreal Canadiens at Barclays Center.

NEW YORK -- Everyone knew things would be different for the New York Islanders after the departure of generational talent John Tavares. But few people expected the difference to manifest itself in a potentially record-setting start for the Islanders, who will look to remain perfect in the Metropolitan Division when they host the New Jersey Devils on Saturday night at Barclays Center.

The Islanders extended their winning streak to four games Thursday night when they moved into a tie for first place in the Metropolitan with a 3-2 shootout win over the other first-place occupant, the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Devils suffered their second straight loss Thursday night, falling to the host Detroit Red Wings 4-3.

The winning streak for the Islanders (7-4-1) has come entirely against Metropolitan opponents. New York is 5-0-0 in the Metropolitan this season, the franchise's best start against divisional rivals since it opened the 1982-83 season 6-0-0 (wins-losses-ties) in the Patrick Division. >> Read more

Copyright 2018 by the Associated Press

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Islanders pick up two points in shootout win over Pens on Thursday

Pittsburgh shooting victims honored before game

Nov 1 | 10:06PM

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Nov 1, 2018; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Islanders celebrate the goal by New York Islanders right wing Josh Bailey (12) against The Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports (Dennis Schneidler)

The Islanders continued to stay hot with a shootout victory, 4-3, over the Penguins on Thursday night at Barclays Center. >> Box score

Islanders matchup against Penguins at Barclays at 7 p.m.

New York beat Pittsburgh 6-3 in their previous game

Nov 1 | 6:35PM

NEW YORK -- The New York Islanders ended the quirkiest early-season schedule in the NHL by winning three straight road games in a span of four days. Now the task for the Islanders is to produce similar success in their first extended homestand of the 2018-19 campaign.

The Islanders will look to remain hot Thursday night, when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins in an early-season battle for first place in the Metropolitan Division at Barclays Center.

It will be the second straight game between the rivals. The Islanders earned a convincing win Tuesday night, when Jordan Eberle scored twice in a 6-3 win over the Penguins. >> Read more

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Islanders top Penguins on emotional night in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh shooting victims honored before game

Oct 30 | 9:56PM

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Oct 30, 2018; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; New York Islanders left wing Matt Martin (17) celebrates his goal with right wing Tom Kuhnhackl (14) and center Casey Cizikas (53) against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period at PPG PAINTS Arena. New York won 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports (Charles LeClaire)

Prior to Tuesday's game between the Islanders and Penguins, Pittsburgh honored the shooting victims who were killed at the Tree of Life synagogue on Saturday with a moment of silence. Two officers wounded in response to the shooting also participated in an honorary puck drop.

As for the game, the Islanders won their third after recovering from blowing a 2-0 lead in the first period. The scored three goals in the second -- two from Jordan Eberle -- en route to a 6-3 win over the Penguins. The victory extends the Islanders' winning streak to three games and point streak to four.

Islanders goalie Robin Lehner made 23 of 25 saves but was replaced by Thomas Greiss at the start of the third period due to a strain, per head coach Barry Trotz. >> Box score

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Islanders aim to keep win streak going against Penguins at 7 p.m.

Isles coming off back-to-back wins

Oct 30 | 6:41PM

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Oct 8, 2018; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Islanders celebrate the goal by New York Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield (24) against the San Jose Sharks during the third period at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports (Dennis Schneidler)

PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- It's pretty straightforward for the New York Islanders (5-4-1). They can extend their winning streak to three games, their point streak to four games and stay above .500 with a win Tuesday against Pittsburgh at PPG Paints Arena.

Things are more complex for the Penguins (6-1-2). Under normal circumstances, they would simply be returning home triumphant after going 4-0 on a road trip through Canada that they claim helped them bond and set a tone for perhaps the rest of the season.

But these aren't normal circumstance. The Penguins will be juggling their emotions playing at home for the first time since a shooting Saturday at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Squirrel Hill area of the city left 11 people dead. >> Read more

The winger doesn't think he was given a fresh start this season

Oct 30 | 10:59AM

The Islanders entered the 2018-19 season with a new regime led by team president Lou Lamoriello and Stanley Cup-winning head coach Barry Trotz.

But Josh Ho-Sang, the Isles' first-round pick (No. 28 overall) in the 2014 NHL Draft, says he's been offered anything but a fresh start. In fact, the 22-year-old believes he wasn't given a fair shot at making the NHL squad during training camp, instead being sent down to the AHL for the second straight season.

"I felt like they had their minds made up on what was going to happen and what the team was going to look like," Ho-Sang told the New York Post on Monday. "It's OK. They had the whole summer to plan that. I don't know if you watched any of the games, but I didn't play a lot. It's OK. It is what it is."

Anders Lee's two points lead Islanders to 2-1 win over Hurricanes

Lee assists on Pulock's go-ahead goal in second

Oct 28 | 7:43PM

New York Islanders left wing Anders Lee checks Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brett Pesce during the first period at PNC Arena. (James Guillory/USA TODAY Sports)

The Islanders beat the Carolina Hurricanes 2-1 on Sunday at PNC Arena for their second straight victory. >> Box score

First period:

3:39 NYI Anders Lee (power play); Assists: Josh Bailey, Nick Leddy

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Islanders, Hurricanes enter 5 p.m. matchup with momentum

The Isles' six goals against the Flyers made for a strong start to a three-game road swing

Oct 28 | 2:31PM

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Oct 8, 2018; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Islanders celebrate the goal by New York Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield (24) against the San Jose Sharks during the third period at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports (Dennis Schneidler)

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Two teams feeling good after their most recent results meet Sunday when the New York Islanders face the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena.

The teams put together different types of inspirational victories in advance of this game, but the confidence might be brewing for both clubs.

For the Islanders, it was Saturday afternoon's 6-1 whipping of the Philadelphia Flyers for a strong start on a three-game road swing.

"They are games that mean a lot," said Islanders center Anthony Beauvillier, who notched his first goal of the season Saturday. "All of us want to get rolling." >> Read more

Two Metropolitan Division rivals looking for answers face each other in a Saturday matinee in Philadelphia.

The New York Islanders, 0-4-1 in their last five games, have to find a way to score some goals -- and will go against a Flyers team that has to find a way to stop them.

The Islanders (3-4-1 overall and in the middle of playing six of seven games on the road) have scored eight goals during the five-game stretch and blew a 2-0 lead before losing 3-2 in overtime to the Florida Panthers in Brooklyn Wednesday night.

NEW YORK -- The Florida Panthers are looking forward to playing Wednesday night because it will provide them an opportunity to forget about what happened Tuesday.

The New York Islanders are looking forward to Wednesday night so they can confirm they haven't forgotten how to play hockey.

The Panthers will complete a back-to-back set Wednesday night, when they visit the Islanders in New York's first home game in more than two weeks at Barclays Center.

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Former Islanders owner Charles Wang passes away at age of 74

Oct 21 | 10:14AM

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New York Islanders owner Charles Wang takes question from the media during a news conference at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y., Wednesday, May 11, 2011. Officials on New York's Long Island will ask voters this summer to approve a $400 million plan to build a new hockey arena next to the current home of the New York Islanders. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) (Seth Wenig/AP)

Wang was the majority owner of the Islanders from 2000 to 2016, when he became a minority co-owner as Jon Ledecky and Scott Malkin became the primary owners.

"We are heartbroken by the news of Charles Wang's passing. New York Islanders's co-owners Dewey Shay, Scott Malkin and I were privileged to be selected by Charles to be his partners in the team," Ledecky said in a statement. "Charles loved the Islanders unconditionally. The arena at Belmont Park will be just one of his many legacies left to the team and to Long Island. His unique personality, his wonderful sense of humor and his extraordinary wisdom will be greatly missed."

The Anaheim Ducks are hoping to have center Ryan Getzlaf back in the lineup when they play the New York Islanders at Honda Center on Wednesday.

Getzlaf has missed the past four games with a groin injury, but the team captain skated three days in a row before practicing with the top line on Tuesday.

"(Monday) was a day I pushed it pretty hard from a skating standpoint, and it reacted well," Getzlaf told reporters after practice Tuesday. "I skated with the guys (Tuesday), which was a more of an up-tempo, little more of that push and pull, those kinds of things, reactionary stuff, and so we'll see how it reacts (Wednesday)." >> Read More

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Islanders prospect knocked out after scary hit during UConn-Quinnipiac game

Ruslan Iskhakov was taken off the ice on a stretcher following the dirty play

Oct 17 | 12:14PM

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General view of the ice before a game between the New York Islanders and the Philadelphia Flyers (Brad Penner)

Islanders prospect and UConn freshman Ruslan Iskhakov was carted off the ice after getting knocked out by a scary hit during the Huskies' game against Quinnipiac Tuesday night in Connecticut.

Iskhakov, who was drafted by the Islanders in the second round of the 2018 NHL Draft, carried the puck into the offensive zone in the third period when Quinnipiac's Brogan Rafferty left his feet to deliver a crushing blow to the 18-year-old's head.

The 5-foot-7 Russian forward quickly collapsed to the ice, where he remained motionless. After several minutes, Iskhakov was able to move his arms and legs and gave the crowd a thumbs-up as he was taken off on a stretcher en route to a local hospital.

Brock Nelson scored his 100th career goal on Saturday night in the Islanders' 5-2 loss to the Predators.

Nelson's goal came in the third quarter to put his team on the board after falling behind 3-0. The goal was Brock's first of the season after he was forced to wait the entire offseason to reach the 1,000-goal milestone.

Islanders hit the road to face Predators on Saturday at 8 p.m.

The Predators won the first matchup between the two teams last week

Oct 13 | 5:05PM

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Oct 8, 2018; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Islanders celebrate the goal by New York Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield (24) against the San Jose Sharks during the third period at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports (Dennis Schneidler)

It was just the fourth game in an 82-game regular season, but the Nashville Predators had a little extra incentive for Thursday night's visit from the Winnipeg Jets.

In their first meeting since Winnipeg knocked them out of the Western Conference semifinals last spring with a 5-1 Game 7 decision, Nashville pieced together its best game of the young season, getting Pekka Rinne's 52nd career shutout in a 3-0 decision.

"It's Winnipeg, you know, we just lost against them in the playoffs and you could sense that," Rinne said. "There was a lot of emotion on the ice. I thought the first period was the fastest hockey so far this year." >> Read more

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Islanders place Jan Kovar on unconditional waivers

The KHL import never reported to the Isles' AHL team after missing the cut

Oct 10 | 12:36PM

The Islanders placed F Jan Kovar on unconditional waivers on Wednesday, the team announced.

The former KHL star, who signed a reported one-year, $2 million deal with the Isles over the summer, failed to make the final cut out of training camp and never showed up to AHL Bridgeport.

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Robin Lehner blanks Sharks as Islanders win, 4-0

Lehner made 35 saves

Oct 8 | 4:19PM

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Oct 8, 2018; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Islanders goaltender Robin Lehner (40) attempts to cover up the puck as San Jose Sharks center Melker Karlsson (68) and New York Islanders center Brock Nelson (29) battle for the rebound during the first period at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports (Dennis Schneidler)

NEW YORK (AP) Robin Lehner stopped 35 shots for his ninth career shutout in his New York debut, leading the Islanders to a 4-0 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Monday.

Anders Lee, Scott Mayfield, Matt Martin and Casey Cizikas scored to help New York get new coach Barry Trotz his first win at home. The Islanders, who opened the season with an overtime win at Carolina last Thursday, then lost their home opener to Nashville two nights later.

Lehner, who signed with the Islanders in July, played for the first time since last March 29 for Buffalo. He left that game against Detroit because of a panic attack and was subsequently treated for alcohol and drug addiction and also diagnosed with bipolar disorder, ADHD and PTSD...

Islanders begin home slate vs. Predators on Saturday at 7 p.m.

The Islanders won their season opener against the Hurricanes

Oct 6 | 5:39PM

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Oct 4, 2018; Raleigh, NC, USA; New York Islanders center Valtteri Filppula (51) is congratulated by his teammates after his second period goal against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports (James Guillory)

NEW YORK -- The season opener Thursday night marked the official start of a new era for the New York Islanders. But Saturday night will truly reinforce the uncertainty upon which the Islanders have embarked.

The overhauled Islanders will begin their vagabond home existence Saturday night, when New York hosts the Nashville Predators at Barclays Center.

Both teams earned wins in their openers Thursday night, when the visiting Islanders edged the Carolina Hurricanes 2-1 in overtime, while the Predators beat the host New York Rangers 3-2. >> Read more

Kovar played the past five seasons in the KHL, and joined the Islanders on a reported one-year, $2 million deal. However, he didn't impressed the Islanders enough in camp to keep him for the start of the season.

President and GM Lou Lamoriello has to submit his 23-man roster by the end of the day, and Toews and Kovar were the moves necessary to reach that number. The Islanders are also waiting to see if F Tom Kuhnhackl cleared waivers, so they could send him to Bridgeport as well.

"What you do in situations like this is give yourself flexibility, that's what we did," Lamoriello said. "If a player gets claimed, that's part of the game."

The Islanders already missed out on their coveted free agent in C John Tavares this offseason. But that is now officially in the past, and focus turns toward another Isles key cog that will see his contract expire at the end of the year as well.

C Anders Lee is in the final year of his four-year, $15 million deal, after which he becomes an unrestricted free agent. It is too early to tell if Lee will take Tavares' route and hear out potential suitors next offseason, but that isn't even on his mind.